New Delhi: Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has written that ‘those in power’ today professed a commitment to democracy but were actually hindering its functioning.“They say they are committed to ‘democracy’, but at the same time, they weaken the safeguards meant to ensure its smooth working,” Gandhi wrote in the 2024 Manorama Yearbook according to the Press Trust of India.She added: “The train tracks meant to guide our nation to harmony are being damaged and the results are already being seen in the increased polarisation in society.”PTI also cited her as saying that the word ‘secular’ was now being used in a pejorative sense by those in power.Sonia Gandhi endorsed Mahatma Gandhi’s interpretation of secularism, which she said emphasised the equality of all religions, and said that the “guiding principle of Indian secularism democracy” was “always to promote harmony and prosperity between all the diverse groups in our society”.“In fact, in our society it makes more sense to speak of ‘diversities’ instead of just ‘diversity’ since they encompass faiths and beliefs, languages and cultural practices, regions and ecologies, histories and traditions,” she also said.The news agency also quoted her as questioning majoritarian interpretations of democracy.“… If a majority of people agree, can they always have a way over the remainder? What happens if the core interests of a small group are hurt? What is the remedy if a temporary majority insists on taking a decision which may have grave future consequences?“On the other hand, if an enduring but slim majority is formed, do they have the right to govern unchallenged?” Gandhi asked.She continued: “If people worry that their language or religious practice or way of life could be permanently threatened only because they were not many in number, it does not help peace or harmony in society.”Gandhi also said that while people are familiar with concepts like secularism and democracy, the “deep meaning behind these concepts are often elusive”, adding that a “clear understanding of these terms” will help Indians understand its past and prepare for future challenges, PTI reported.Some political scientists and commentators have said that India is experiencing democratic backsliding under the Narendra Modi-led BJP government.In 2021, the V-Dem research institute categorised India as an “electoral autocracy”, citing a deterioration in the freedom of the media, academia and civil society.Others have also cited the marginalisation of Muslims in India since 2014.The BJP and Modi deny that religious minorities are discriminated against in India.